S’more to Love

By: Alexa Nichols

A toasted marshmallow on the campfire has always been a summertime favorite of mine. As a child I loved to smash it between two graham crackers and a square of chocolate. As I have gotten older, I have found that the options are truly endless with what you can pair together to transform this classic treat. The best part is that many of these toppings are easy to pack up and take along with you on any camping trip or backyard cookout. 

Fresh and Fruit 

Add a touch of sweetness along with some added nutrients with a fresh fruit slice. I personally love slices of banana with nut butter or slivers of strawberry with a square of dark chocolate. If you are a peanut butter and jelly fan, try making a miniature version using slices of strawberry and a dollop of nut butter in between your two graham crackers. 

The Elvis

Graham crackers + toasted marshmallow + banana slices + nut butter

PB & J

Graham cracker + toasted marshmallow + strawberry slices + nut butter

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry

Graham crackers + toasted marshmallow + strawberry slices + square of dark chocolate

Chocolate-Covered Banana

Graham crackers + toasted marshmallow + banana slices + square of dark chocolate

Nutty for Nuts

A dollop of nut butter is an easy way to add a bit of protein to your s’more. When eating foods that have a higher sugar content, adding a source of protein can make it a more nutrient-dense snack that will leave you feeling satisfied. 

Peanut Butter Cup

Graham crackers  + toasted marshmallow + nut butter + square of dark chocolate

Peanut Butter & Fluff

Graham crackers + toasted marshmallow + nut butter

Sweet & Salty

If you find s’mores to be too sweet, you may enjoy cutting the sweetness with a salty addition like a mini pretzel. Using a square of dark chocolate will also be less sweet than milk chocolate, and it adds a touch of antioxidants to your snack.

The Classic 2.0

Graham crackers + toasted marshmallow + square of dark chocolate + pretzel

Lightened Up

Try having your s’more open-face style by eliminating the top graham cracker. It will make for an overall lighter treat, while still allowing you to enjoy every layer.

Another option is to make a s’mores dip so that you can choose how much of the classic s’mores topping you’d like. This recipe from jamiecooksitup.net  is an easy way to enjoy the taste of a s’more without the campfire. 

You can still use the untraditional items from the ideas above to enjoy this dip! For example, use a pretzel for dipping instead of a graham cracker, smear this dip on a banana, or even on a piece of toasted whole-wheat bread.

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Easy S’more Dip

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup milk or dark chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 5 ⅓ cup mini marshmallows
• Graham crackers for dipping (you can also use sliced fresh fruit, pretzel sticks, or smear a bit on a piece of toasted whole-wheat bread)

Directions

1. Pour 1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips into a medium saucepan.
2. Add 3 tablespoons of milk and 1 ⅓ cup marshmallows to the saucepan.
3. Heat the ingredients in the pan over medium heat, stirring constantly.
4. Pour the melted chocolate mixture into a 9 in. pie dish.
5. Smooth the mixture out nicely over the bottom of the dish.
6. Top the dish with the remaining 4 cups of marshmallows.
7. Set the oven to broil and place the pie dish into the oven for a couple minutes to allow the marshmallows to brown. Be sure to watch carefully.
8. Use graham crackers, fruit, pretzels, etc. to dip!

Note: I substituted dark chocolate chips for milk chocolate chips in this recipe for additional antioxidants. You may use milk chocolate chips if you prefer a more traditional s’mores taste. 

Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 6-8

Recipe adapted from jamiecooksitup.net